Joint Task Force Battles Blaze in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park
The Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS) Centre has reported that a joint task force is continuing to battle a wildfire in the Bantengan Block within the national park area. Bambang Suriyono, Head of Administration at the TNBTS Centre, stated that the flames are still active and have spread to the Watu Gede area. “It has reached Watu Gede and is not yet extinguished,” Bambang said on Tuesday, 4 August 2026.
Firefighting efforts involve multiple parties, including the Registered Mount Semeru Hiking Guides (PPGST), residents from Ngadas Village in Malang Regency, residents from Ranu Pani Village in Lumajang Regency, and the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI). According to the TNBTS Centre, the forest fire in the Bantengan Block began on Monday, 3 August, at approximately 5:00 p.m. Western Indonesian Time.
He noted that firefighting operations faced several obstacles in the field today. In addition to the cliff-like terrain, wind gusts are also affecting suppression efforts on the ground. Consequently, all extinguishing efforts are being conducted with the safety and security of field personnel as the top priority. “Equipment is available, with assistance from the Regional Disaster Management Agencies (BPBD) of Probolinggo Regency and Malang Regency,” he said.
The TNBTS Centre has not yet been able to determine the suspected cause of the fire in the Bantengan Block. “It is still under investigation,” he stated. He expressed hope that the public would continue to support the efforts of officers handling the fire so that the incident can be fully resolved as quickly as possible.
The impact of the fire has forced the TNBTS Centre to close three tourist access routes to Mount Bromo, namely from the Jemplang and Coban Trisula areas in Malang Regency, and Senduro in Lumajang Regency. The closure of these three access points took effect today at 10:00 p.m. Western Indonesian Time for an unspecified duration. However, tourists can still access the Mount Bromo area via Cemoro Lawang in Probolinggo Regency and Wonokitri in Pasuruan Regency.